Reflection

"Give us Inspiration and Understanding"

Saints Mary and Joseph Cathedral Parish

Weekend Mass Times:

Saturday Vigil - 6pm

Sunday - 8am, 10 am and 5.30 pm

Refelection

The  Prayer

Loving God, help us to understand and experience the resurrection of Jesus as a welcome to all of us into true community where all are accepted and offered a home. May we rejoice in that great gift. Amen.

The Word (John 20: 19 – 31)

On the evening of the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the companions of Jesus had gathered out of fear, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. They were glad when they saw him. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As God who so loved me has sent me, even so I send you’. When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive sins, they are forgiven; if you hold them bound, they are held bound’.

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the others told him, ‘We have seen the Lord’. But Thomas said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe’.

Eight days later, they were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said, ‘Peace be with you’. Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing’. Thomas  answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me?’

'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his followers, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ; the Anointed One of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Personal Reflection …

• Do you believe that there are situations in people’s lives when they can withhold forgiveness from another?
• How does this influence and affect the way you engagewith others?

The Action

Reflect on a recent situation in your life that has seemed hopeless: a broken relationship, a bitter disappointment, a missed opportunity, an irredeemable loss. Look at the situation through the eyes of faith. See what Jesus sees: the never-ending chance for healing and life.

The Blessing

Listen to God’s breath within: it is the stirring of belief.

Voice those questions and doubts: it is the making of faith.

Touch those scars and feel those wounds: it is the place of resurrection.

Let the breath of God sustain you this day and forever. Amen.